Still Kicking

The New Normal

Even by my standards, it's been a while since I posted.  As busy as I've been it's probably a good thing that I wasn't in school this semester.  Life just seems to find a way to eat away at any free time you think you might have - it's just a new normal.  That said, I still have that itch and I'm hoping to find a way to get back into formal studies before too long. 

Rest assured, however, I've been working on several things, many of which I hope to be able to share here soon (as my time allows).  Just as a teaser... First, I want to demonstrate how I've put my studies into practice.  Second, I want to share some of my research regarding other online academic opportunities.  Third, I want to share some of my personal reading that I've been plugging away on - lots of good stuff ;).  Forth, I want to get around to cleaning up this blog.  And finally, I'm working on a large project to produce a properly formatted ebook from an out-of-copyright gem.

So I had my little season of feeling sorry for myself (and no, that wasn't a good thing, I know) and I'm still kicking.  I've learned that it's not the education that is important, it's how you use what you know in service to others.  It would sound pretentious of me to spell this out in detail so all I will really say is that it's very humbling, encouraging, and awesome.  And for this, I give God all the glory and praise.    

Anxiety of Unfinished Business

Waiting for Nothing to Do

There is a bit of excitement in the air as three of my boys are getting ready to start attending new schools next week.  While it's a bit hard for them to appreciate the privilege they have to study and learn, they are none-the-less excited about experiencing new things and making new friends.  I suppose it's also calming for us as parents to know that the chaos of summer will soon settle back into predictable schedules and routines.  But I can't seem to shake a haunting feeling of uneasiness - the anxiety of unfinished business.  It's a feeling of being ready to go but finding that I'm rather only waiting for nothing to do.  It stinks.

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty bummed.  I think that is a natural reaction.  Like training hard for a race and then blowing a hamstring a week before the event.  A longing sense of - just didn't get it done.  So I've had my pout and now it's time to begin focusing on - what now?

When I said that my seminary education was never about the degree or the grades, that was either true or it wasn't.  Just because I'm no longer enrolled in a seminary degree program does not preclude me from continuing to study and grow.  Sure, working hard in an accredited degree program has obvious short and long-term advantages, but what if that just isn't an option?  What alternatives are available for someone like me who has the need and desire for theological training, but lacks the time, opportunity, and means to pursue such an endeavor?

Let's explore that idea a little further.  I'm going to scamper off and do a little research to see what I can find.  I'm a bit curious to see what's available and how that compares to what I've experienced.  I'm really not sure what to expect but stay tuned for more as I begin to look into this.     

 

BE201OL - Critical Review

BE201OL - Spring's Unfinished Business

 

In hindsight, it would have been preferable to have written this a month or so ago but as my previous post indicates, I was preoccupied with trying to find a solution to another challenge.  That said, better late than never and as I try to teach my own children, it's important to finish strong - especially in the face of disappointment and adversity.  I'll continue to write here of course, however I haven't quite decided how or what that is going to look like moving forward.  Regardless, it's time to take a look back at BE201OL to reflect on my experience and proffer some advice on how to get the most out of this course.

End of the Road ... For Now

Tough Decisions

Well, if you've been reading you know it's been a struggle for me on many fronts the past few years in pursuit of an MBTS degree.  Despite having a great Spring semester, the financial means to continue in the program remain just beyond my reach.  Tough decisions needed to be made and I simply could not sacrifice my family's needs at the expense of my education.  So it is with a bit of sadness that I share that at this moment, I've reached the end of the road ... for now.

I'll have more to say soon as I reflect on my studies and share more about what I've learned as a result.

Greek Is Really Cool - But Not My Forte

Thankful For Many Things

Well, my audit in Greek is finished and I'm thankful for a lot of things.  I'm thankful for what I've learned, and I'm thankful that it's over ... for now.  Studying Greek was really cool, but it definitely is not my forte.  Had I actually taken the class for credit, I would have received a B in the course which is OK, but well below the goal that I set for myself.  So I had to make a difficult decision

Going into the class I was perhaps a little skeptical of the benefit of learning the language.  Of course, there is the joy of being able to begin reading the Bible in one of the original languages, but would it really make that big of a difference?  A friend of mine had this to say about learning Greek, "The difference between studying the Bible in English versus Greek is like the difference between watching television in black and white versus high definition color."  I think my friend hit the proverbial nail on the head with that analogy.  I can see now how much clearer the pages of Scripture shine with the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ when translating from the Greek.  Mind you, I'm under no illusion that I've only begun to scratch the surface of my understanding of the language, but I've seen enough to appreciate the value.

So I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my experience with learning Greek and I'm looking forward to continuing my study of the language, but just not right now.  The time commitment to studying a language is immense.  Even though this was just an audit course for me, I spent far more time on this course than any other course that I've taken at DTS.  This is to be expected, however, I just don't see that I'll have the kind of time necessary this Spring to get the most out of the class.  So I'm going to basically try to keep reviewing what I've already learned and keep my skills sharp so I can develop a solid platform to continue in the near future.  All in all, I have no regrets for stepping up and taking this course.

So, if you're planning on studying Greek at a seminary and you don't have any previous experience with the language or struggle like me with foreign languages, I'd recommend a slightly lower course load during the semester to offset the amount of time you'll need to dedicate to learning Greek.  It's totally worth it, but it's a grind and takes a lot of time, commitment, and discipline.

Protecting the Family

Making the Home Network Safer

Who can forget the iconic sound of a 56k modem as it completed its handshake protocol;  the virtual on-ramp to the digital superhighway known as the internet. It’s amazing to think how much the internet has changed our lives over the past two-plus decades.  But for all the wonderful advancements the internet provides us daily, it also has a dark and dangerous side.  Just under the surface of any search engine through the keystroke pitter-patter of search terms, a vast ocean of pornographic sites set their fishing lines; ready to snag its innocent, curious, naïve, addicted, or defiled victims.

As the father of four young boys racing full speed into or towards their teen years, I’ve struggled with how to protect my kids from this virtual cancer of depravity.  And if I’m being honest, how to protect myself from lure and temptation of an empty pleasure which only leaves me hurting in my shame and guilt; deceptively stealing away from me the joy and sufficiency of God’s grace.  Well, after many days, weeks, and months of trying different solutions, I’ve discovered a way to easily protect my family and my home from this evil and it’s something I feel is worth sharing so read on!

And This is Why We Audit

Epic Faceplant

Greek has been a fickle friend this semester.  Sometimes, I think, "I got this."  And then other times my brain breaks and starts leaking out of the bottom of my shoes.  I just wrapped up my sixth quiz of the semester and I'm still feeling the pain from the epic faceplant I just brilliantly executed.  I managed an impressive 27 out of 98 (although my final score will probably be in the neighborhood of 40).  It's times like this that I remind myself that this is exactly why I choose to audit this course.

I mentioned that I struggle to pick up languages in general, and this is true.  But with this course, I just feel like I'm about two weeks behind in my understanding.  I mean it takes about two weeks for the learning to settle into a firm-ish knowledge.  So while we're just wrapping up chapter 18 in Mounce's "Basics of Biblical Greek", I'm just getting comfortable with chapter 14.  And this is despite studying just about every day.

Point is, it's not so much that the language is difficult.  There is just so much to learn and remember that I find it takes a while to sear into my memory.